Neighbour building on land.

EB75

I totally agree. Surely though also before you erect anything on your land especially close to the boundary land, the responsibility lies with you to check it is actually on your land, do your measurements or get a survey completed? I don't think assuming it is your is good enough especially as in our case, we were not even informed about the fence. Did my neighbour also assume he owned half of my hedge?
He also had clear plans and conveyancing details informing him of what was his, surely the responsibility lies with him to check, not me as the neighbour being trespassed on to clear up the mess. It seems an easy option to blame the person on the receiving end, just because your neighbour chooses to build a fence where they can access both sides does not give you permission to assume you can then take their land. 

ProDave

When you put this fence that you can access both sides, did you leave anything else to mark the actual boundary like a simple post and wire fence?

SuperHung

Why don't you remove your fence and voila! You claimed back 20cm! Don't forget your ruler to measure.

EB75

The previous owners erected our fence and they planted a bush on the other side going over the fence from what I can see on my photo's, my new neighbour got rid of the bush to build his extension build. The pebble dash which was in place prior to my new neighbour going over it indicated where the real boundary line was. There is also a point at the top of the roof where the real boundary line is, where the fascia's meet. 

EB75

We are not allowed to paint or in fact touch our neighbours fence so are stuck with a large battle ship grey 6ft fence overlooking our garden.

akwexavante

Me's thinking that you need to provide documented evidence that the original fence was short of the actual boundary by way of a contract between you and your previous neighbour, a letter, email or some such bit of paper.   You could try tracing the previous owner and ask for a witness statement declaring that they erected the fence in question well into your property rather than on the actual boundary.

Police Officer or not you should have reported the lockdown parties, i would copper or not.

akwexavante

The officer has the upper hand because he knows you'll be frightened to do or say anything and you'll give up.  But honestly he is taking a serious risk even as far as to say that his job could be at stake if not his pension if you do decide to take action.  The police authority don't like it much when one of there own is in trouble with the law!!  You may get a satisfactory result quicker than you think if you stand up to the bully now.

HampshireH

You freely acknowledge that you have not addressed this issue until now.

Your post suggests they started claiming this land as theirs years ago. They probably thought either they weren't doing anything wrong or you didnt care if it's taken this long. Hence the further works.

Have you had a conversation with your neighbour?

springmagpie

As a police officer he is bound by his job to act a certain way. I would report him to the police force for the parties and for his behaviour. I will almost guarantee his superior officer will have a word about not getting involved in any disputes and to put right what he has done wrong. Police officers have lost their jobs for less

brianposter

Before you do anything else, take some more photos showing that gap at the end of your fence clearly open.